Abstract

PRAKRITI ANALYSIS AND ITS IMPORTANCE’S & CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE IN AYURVEDIC CLASSICS

Dr. Namrata Sahu*, Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj and Dr. Gitanjali Sasmal

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Abstract

Prakriti, an important concept of Ayurveda, is a combination of physical, physiological, psychological characteristics. The Prakriti of individual is determined by Doshika predominance at the time of union of Shukra (semen) and Shonita (ovum) & also influenced by some other factors like Kala-Garbhashaya Prakriti, Matura ahara-vihara Prakriti, Mahabhuta-vikara Prakriti and other factors like Jatyadi Prakriti (Jati, Kula, Desa, Kala, Vaya, Pratyatmaniyata). For example, at the time of union of gamets, if Vata dosha is predominant as compared to Pitta and Kapha then the individual is distinguished as Vataja Prakriti and such individual possesses the physical, physiological and psychic (mental) characters according to predominance of Vata dosha. So Prakriti refers to genetically determined anatomical, physiological and psychological constitution of an individual. Prakriti also determines the response of an individual to environmental factors, drugs and susceptibility to diseases making it one of the earliest known concepts of preventive and personalized or genomic medicine. So Prakriti emphasizes on the individuality and plays an important role in diagnosis, preventive medicine, and therapeutics. For maintenance of health, every person should know his or her Prakriti. If proper care is not taken then predominance of any Dosha may lead to certain diseases. For example, If Vata Prakriti purusha has taken more Vatika Ahara-Vihara in Vata vardhak kala then he or she may suffer from Vataja vyadhis. Prakriti is an important factor for making correct diagnosis of the diseases and their proper treatment.

Keywords: Prakriti, Vikriti, Ahara-Vihara, Vata, Pitta, Kapha Dosha.